Debra Chew: Spiritual Well-Being And Surviving Breast Cancer

  • Wednesday, October 22, 2014
  • Debra Chew

I don’t look good in pink – but October is pink-out month - and it is everywhere for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The U.S. and world awareness of this important issue for women’s health is particularly important to me, for I am the daughter of a breast cancer survivor.  This year, as so many lined up at the World’s Fair Park for the Race for the Cure, I was once again reminded of my family’s experience with breast cancer.

I can still remember that day.  I had gone to Ohio to be with my mother because she had had a suspicious lump removed from her breast.  Her surgeon was not concerned, thinking the outcome would be the same as several other lumps he had removed from her breasts through the years.  For that reason, when the call came, it was quite shocking to both of us.  Cancer?  Not my mom!  She was too young.  She was fit, healthy, and full of life in her sixties.  She couldn’t possibly be facing cancer.  What did that mean for her future? 

My first response to all those questions was to turn to prayer.  My experiences of how helpful prayer can be in healing mind, body and soul, from my youth to this time, led me to choose to turn to God in time of trouble.  To quote the Psalmist, “God is our refuge and strength; an ever-present help in trouble.”  (Psalms 46:1)   

While studying the Scriptures, I also turned to a health textbook written by a woman (Mary Baker Eddy) who faced many women’s health challenges of her own. She was healed of them through prayer after many years of exploring a wide variety of treatments.  This prayer and study provided the inspiration I needed at that moment.  Eddy’s words “the calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace” were especially beneficial in the early days. I didn’t have to wait for an appointment or a further diagnosis, or do research online to feel at peace about my mother’s illness. I prayed and I felt more calm; and as I comforted my mom (who was understandably fearful), she was calmer.  

This feeling of calm – even in the midst of frightening news – is crucial to a patient’s entire experience.  And, according to a report by The National Cancer Institute, Spirituality in Cancer Care, July 3, 2014, it’s something breast cancer patients feel if they already have spiritual well-being. The report goes on to say higher levels of spirituality were associated with much less psychological distress and often actually resulted in improved well-being. 

While spirituality is sometimes overlooked in the medical community, research over the last decade on how prayer and spirituality affects breast (and other) cancer patients reveals promising results.  Elements of spirituality, such as meaning in life and prayer, lessen the impact of breast cancer, according to a study entitled Effects of Spirituality in Breast Cancer Survivors by Martha Meraviglia.  Similar to the participants in that study, my mother found that her spirituality was an important factor during her treatment and recovery.  She would always say, “I know God is with me wherever I am and whatever I am going through.”  Consistent with the experience of other survivors, she felt less depression and a more positive sense of well-being throughout her experience. 

Because of her faith in the Divine, Mom was never tempted to feel depressed about the cancer.  She often spoke of the hopelessness in the eyes of some of the other patients she saw on treatment day.  But, she always felt peaceful and hopeful.  Even when I could tell she was having a tough time, she never complained.  She said regularly, “I have faith in a higher power and I know I will survive this.”  And, she did! 

The year following her surgery and throughout the time she had radiation treatments, friends, family and I continued to pray for my mom.  Her faith and the fact that she already had “spiritual well-being” definitely played a part in her improved physical well-being and her avoidance of side-effects from the treatments.  Spiritual inspiration helped her cope with this serious illness, had a positive effect on her recovery, and has played a major role in her remaining cancer-free for over eight years now.   

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Debra Chew is a self-syndicated columnist and writes about the connection between thought, spirituality and health.  She has been published in the chattanoogan.com, Memphis Commercial Appeal, The Jackson Sun, and in the UK.  She is a Christian Science Practitioner and also the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science for TN.  You can contact her at tennessee@compub.org.

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